Twenty-eight beluga whales are scheduled to be transferred from a now-closed Canadian theme park to aquariums across the United States and one in Spain, following federal approval for an emergency international rescue operation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued the relocation permit earlier this month to ensure the belugas receive medical treatment and care that is not available elsewhere.
Marineland, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed to the public in 2024. The park stated it lacks the resources to continue caring for the whales and had previously indicated that euthanasia would be considered if a relocation plan or funding was not secured. The rescue effort, which will take several weeks to complete, is being coordinated with a focus on the comfort and safety of the animals.
The beluga whales will be transported to accredited aquariums including SeaWorld San Antonio and San Diego, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. An additional two whales are slated to go to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain, pending the approval of necessary permits from the Spanish government.
According to a joint statement from the aquariums, NOAA's decision was made because "there are no other facilities in Canada that are able to provide the whales husbandry or medical care." Canada's Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson had approved a conditional proposal to move the whales to the U.S. in January. Final export authorization from the Canadian government will be issued after veterinarians conduct health checks on each animal, Thompson stated on July 16, 2026, at 8:57 PM EDT.
Marineland has faced scrutiny regarding its animal welfare practices. Reports indicate that 20 whales have died at the park since 2019. In the same year, Canada enacted legislation to end the captivity of whales and dolphins.
